ITALY 0-1 COSTA RICACosta Rica have made history in Group D. The Central Americans had never made it out of a World Cup group prior to Brazil 2014, and when they were drawn alongside three of the top ten ranked teams in the world – and three former winners – few, if any, would have given them a chance. But a stunning 3-1 win over Uruguay and today's richly deserved victory over Italy have seen them not only qualify for the second round, but do it with a game to spare. Costa Rica could have had a penalty when Joel Campbell was knocked over inside the box in the first half, but (to the disbelief of the striker, his team-mates, manager, and virtually everyone else watching) the referee waved play on. However, just moments later Bryan Ruiz headed home Junior Diaz's magnificent cross to earn the lead, and Italy never really looked like responding in a second half where they visibly tired in the heat of Recife. The result means that England are knocked out of the World Cup, while the meeting between Italy and Uruguay will be a straight head-to-head to progress. Nobody would have feared a Costa Rican draw in the second round before the tournament kicked off, but they certainly will now! At the Arena Pernambuco it finished Italy 0, Costa Rica 1!

90'

FULL-TIMEThe whistle goes to secure Costa Rica's win and send them through into the knockout stages of the World Cup. Never mind Spain's exit… this should be the headline story of the World Cup so far!

90'

TIME RUNNING OUTDave MyrieThe four minutes of added time is ticking away, but it is Costa Rica who look the likelier side to score in added time, with Randall Brenes going close with a fizzing drive and Christian Bolanos exploiting the acres of space in behind the Italian defence.

89'

BRAVE BLOCKJunior Diaz prevents Alessio Cerci's cross from reaching any of the waiting Italians in the box, which sums up the incredible effort shown by the Costa Rica side since the first whistle. Italy looked good in patches in the first 45, but on the balance of play it is very hard to deny that Costa Rica are anything other than worthy of the win.

87'

FAREWELL ENGLANDRoy Hodgson and his squad will be watching on and fully aware that they are minutes away from being knocked out of the World Cup. Italy have to score two goals in the remainder of the match to keep the Three Lions in the competition... and there is no sign of that happening.

84'

NO SIGN OF LIFEItaly are in real danger of leaving themselves needing to beat the dangerous Uruguay in the final group game, but there is a lack of urgency in their play that must be down to the heat. There is no other excuse for such a tepid performance.

81'

THE SKIPPER GOES OFFBryan Ruiz is ten minutes away from seeing his goal earn Costa Rica an historic win. The captain and playmaker is given a well-earned rest, with Randall Brenes coming on. Italy look devoid of ideas at the moment, but there is still plenty of time left on the clock.

77'

PACKED DEFENCEThere are so many players back for Costa Rica now that it is proving very tricky for Italy to pick their way through. This would be a monumental win for the underdogs… although they may have transcended that underdog tag by now. This is a proper team, make no mistake.

74'

AN IMPRESSIVE SHOWINGArsenal's youngster Joel Campbell has spent his Gunners career out on loan, but his showing in the World Cup so far will have been of huge encouragement to Arsene Wenger. The striker makes way for Marco Urena after running his socks off for the Costa Rican cause.

71'

GETTING SCRAPPYThe heat and tension of the situation is beginning to have an impact on Italy's game. A booking for Mario Balotelli and a shocking spell of sloppy passing sum up their second half performance – they need to find a spark from somewhere.

64'

PLENTY AT STAKEA win for Costa Rica here would put them through into the second round out of the first group in World Cup history to include three former winners. If they do progress to the knockout stages it will be at the expense of two of the world's top ten ranked teams, which is something to be extremely proud of. An equaliser for Italy would mean that these two teams would have a point advantage over Uruguay going into the third game, while only two goals and a win for Italy would keep England also in contention.

61'

CASSANO HAS A GOAntonio Cassano tries to conjure up something in the pocket, but his shimmy and shot is well read by the Costa Rican centre-backs and a block sends the ball dribbling through to the goalkeeper.

58'

BUFFON TO THE RESCUEA through-ball almost picks out Christian Bolanos on the counter-attack, but Gianluigi Buffon races out of his area to get to the ball first. The flag was up in any case, but it isn't tough to see what Costa Rica are trying to do, and Buffon will need to stay alert to those through-balls for the remainder of the game.

56'

ANOTHER CHANGE FOR ITALYThe introduction of Lorenzo Insigne for Antonio Candreva adds yet another attacking threat to an Italy side that is now showing off its full array of striking options. The diminutive Insigne will give the Azzurri something different in the final third.

52'

NAVAS MAKES THE SAVEAndrea Pirlo has perfected the 'knuckle-ball' free-kick to add to his already impressive armoury, but Keylor Navas is equal to his long-range effort on this occasion.

50'

DECENT HITMatteo Darmian fizzes a shot over the bar, but an unnecessary fingertip save by Keylor Navas earns Italy a corner. The set-piece is dealt with comfortably enough by Costa Rica, but does lead to yet another lengthy spell of Italy possession. The Azzurri have stepped it up a gear since the break.

47'

PENALTY CLAIMS TURNED DOWNMario Balotelli looks to lay the ball off inside the area and goes down under a late challenge from behind. It is not a clear-cut decision like the one in the first half on Joel Campbell should have been, but it could easily have been given.

46'

SECOND HALFCosta Rica get the game back underway, with the Italy line-up now including the mercurial Antonio Cassano. The attacker is on in place of Thiago Motta, which is a clear sign of intent.

45'

HALF-TIMECosta Rica clear an Andrea Pirlo free-kick to bring the first half to an end. The underdogs have the lead at the break, but it is they who crowd the referee after the whistle to complain about the decisions that saw them denied a penalty and Giorgio Chiellini escape a sending off. That huge - and incorrect - decision by the official may play a big part in the second half, as Italy's passing game will surely carve out more chances as the Costa Ricans tire. However, at half-time it is Italy 0, Costa Rica 1.

43'

GOOOAAALLL!!!Justice is done as Bryan Ruiz's header crashes past Gianluigi Buffon in and in off the cross-bar (confirmed by the goal-line technology). Junior Diaz's brilliant cross took out the Italian centre-backs and left Gianluigi Buffon stranded, and Ruiz took full advantage. 1-0.

43'

A HOWLER BY THE REFCosta Rica rob possession in the centre of the park and set Joel Campbell away on the counter-attack. The striker cuts back on to his left foot inside the area and appears to be bundled over by the covering Giorgio Chiellini, but the referee waves play on. To say the Costa Rican players and manager are furious is an understatement!

41'

OVER THE BARBryan Ruiz shows impressive composure to wait for a free man to appear in the Italian box before dinking a cross in to Oscar Duarte. The defender is all on his own, but can't quite direct his flicked back-header into the net.

38'

SPACE ON THE COUNTEROn the surface there isn't a huge amount to choose between the two teams, but Costa Rica have been restricted to speculative long-range efforts (the latest of which from Bryan Ruiz is comfortable for Gianluigi Buffon), whereas Italy are biding their time and looking to pick out the runners in behind Costa Rica's high-line defence, which will inevitably lead to more one-on-ones.

34'

COMFORTABLE ON THE BALLItaly have plenty of weaknesses, but ability to keep the ball is not one of them. The Azzurri ooze quality in possession, with Pirlo at the centre of everything as he strolls around the middle of the pitch. The veteran apparently made just four 'sprints' in the entirety of the win over England, but when you read the game like he does you rarely need to sprint.

30'

TOO CLEVER BY BALOTELLIAndrea Pirlo is a wonderful, wonderful footballer, and his pass to play Mario Balotelli through on goal is right out of his top-drawer. The forward tries to finish the goal in style, but his delicate chip over the goalkeeper lacks conviction... and more importantly direction... and drifts wide of the post.

27'

THE TEMPO SLOWSThe heat was going to take its toll eventually, and the game has slowed to walking pace (or Pirlo pace, if you will). The crowd respond by entertaining themselves with a Mexican Wave.

22'

BALOTELLI A THREATMario Balotelli requested a kiss from the Queen of England if he scores in a win for Itay today (making the big presumption that she is a football fan), and the early signs are that the striker will cause the Costa Rican defence all sorts of problems. His strength and speed is giving Italy something to work off.

17'

COSTA RICA NO PUSHOVERSThe Central American side were expected to struggle in this group, but their stunning victory over Uruguay showed their ability and they are giving this game a decent go too. Italy will have to work hard if they are to leave with the win.

11'

END-TO-ENDIt has been a thrilling start to the game, with both teams clearly keen to get an early goal and achieve a platform to play the game at their own pace. It is making for a very entertaining watch, with Italy's class shining through in the final third.

7'

OVER THE BARCosta Rica produce the best chance of the game so far. A corner is whipped right into the mixer and on to the head of Celso Borges, but he heads over the bar with Gianluigi Buffon in no man's land.

4'

GREAT START BY ITALYThe Italians have started with a bang, dominating possession and finding plenty of space out wide for the overlapping full-backs to exploit.

1'

KICK-OFFItaly get the game underway and immediately show their intent to keep the ball with a spell of possession football inside their own half. A delicate chip over the top threatens to put Claudio Marchisio clean through inside the opening minute, but he's just caught offside.

0'

HERE COME THE TEAMSThe 22 players emerge into the blistering heat to be welcomed by a packed Arena Pernambuco crowd. The anthems are belted out and the game is all set for kick-off.

0'

ITALY V COSTA RICALuis Suarez's second goal that beat England yesterday has ensured that even a win today won't be enough to send Italy through to the second round, but Costa Rica could progress if they manage to muster up a second huge upset. Italy were quietly impressive in their 2-1 win over England in the heat of Manaus on Saturday, and will be looking for more of the same in the inevitably sweltering conditions in Recife. Their opponents, Costa Rica, were expected to be the whipping-boys of the group, but looked dangerous on the counter-attack against Uruguay and will fancy their chances if they manage to isolate Italy's centre-backs on the break. A win for Italy would leave Group D in a position where all four teams will still be in with a chance of qualifying on Tuesday. A draw or a win for Costa Rica would be enough to take it down to a three horse race for the final round – with England heading home early.

0'

EARLY TEAM NEWSCesare Prandelli is expected to make changes to his team, with Gianluigi Buffon fit to return between the sticks and Ignazio Abate in line for a return at left-back. Marco Verratti is struggling with illness, which will allow the Italian coach to add fresh legs to a team facing their second game in extremely testing conditions in the space of a week. Costa Rica are likely to be unchanged, with much resting on the shoulders of Joel Campbell. The striker has pace and raw talent, but may find life more difficult than he did against a pedestrian Uruguay back-line.